- 19 Jan 2005
- 1,972
- 232
I first heard this adaptation of the Christmas classic "A Visit From St. Nicholas" on the Far East Network (FEN) while stationed in Japan in 1973 and heard it every year thereafter and, it too, became an instant classic on FEN for the service men and woman stationed there. It was so popular that transcripts were available to any that wanted one and I still have mine.
To give a little background, many military personnel lived off base in the 60's and 70's, including myself, and kerosene and kerosene heaters were our life blood in winter as Japanese houses and apartments were not insulated and not centrally heated. The first house I lived in was probably built in the 1950's and was in the American style with a decent sized living room, kitchen and separate bedroom upstairs sans heat. (Cost: 20,000/month about US$60 then). Not easy when you were used to a heated house 24/7 back in the US. Many people also placed plastic over the windows to keep the cold out and as much heat in as possible, especially at night when the heaters were turned off. You better remember to order kerosene or you were out of luck if your heater ran out.
It was so cold in the mornings that my hands and body sometimes shook uncontrollably when getting dressed and trying to button a shirt when the temperature in the room was in the 30's or 40's. (One soon gets wise though, and wakes up 30 minutes early to put the heater on and get back in the toasty futon while the room heats up.) It's old and kind of corny, but I just wanted to share it after all these years. Enjoy.
Christmas in the Paddies
'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house,
The cold would awaken the sleepiest mouse.
The stockings were hung by the space heater with care
In the hopes that St. Nick-san would soon be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds
While visions of Toyland danced in their heads
And I in my blanket, with the heat turned on high
Had just settled down–oyasumi nasai.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
Mom was checking the oil drums and as mad as a hatter.
I threw open the window and peered through the plastic.
"Gomen nasai darling..... don't do anything drastic."
(I'd forgotten to order some more of the stuff,
And it looked as if Christmas would be kind of rough!)
The moon on the breast of the gravel and snow
Gave the luster of midday to the compound below.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But a chisai sleigh and eight tiny reindeer....
With a little ol' honcho, so lively and quick.
I could tell by his accent, he must be St. Nick.
More rapid than jet forces he came
And he whistled and shouted and called them by name:
Now Dozo, now Daijobu, now Chotto and Matte,
On Soba, on Sushi, and Ah So and Desuka.
(Because of the unions I suppose over here,
He probably employs Japanese reindeer).
As fast as lightening, he entered the door
And opened his furoshiki and dumped on the floor
Dozens of packages and gifts of all sizes,
Just what the kids wanted plus extra surprises.
I was so happy I wanted to squeeze him
Christmas would be merry, even though we were freezin'ﾂ…
Thank you, I said, You're such an old dear,
Domo arigato, as they say over here.
But how did you ever find this place?
We worried that maybe you just went on base.
His eyes, how they twinkled; "Now don't ever tell,
But I don't go by rank or key personnelﾂ…"
"And what did you bring me?", I wanted to know.
And he shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of tofu.
"Well, you private renters sure need a lot,
But for you, it's something special I got;
It's much too big to go under the tree,
So look out in the yard and you will see,
To keep peace in the family, you know what I mean,
Your gift is a drum full of kerosene.
"And now I'd better be off, for I'm on TDY
And it's quite a trip back to the good ol' ZI"
He sprang from his sleigh and to his team gave a whistle
And away they all flew like the thrust of a missile.
But I heard him exclaim as they drove out of sight,
"Christmas Omedeto and to all a good night!"
To give a little background, many military personnel lived off base in the 60's and 70's, including myself, and kerosene and kerosene heaters were our life blood in winter as Japanese houses and apartments were not insulated and not centrally heated. The first house I lived in was probably built in the 1950's and was in the American style with a decent sized living room, kitchen and separate bedroom upstairs sans heat. (Cost: 20,000/month about US$60 then). Not easy when you were used to a heated house 24/7 back in the US. Many people also placed plastic over the windows to keep the cold out and as much heat in as possible, especially at night when the heaters were turned off. You better remember to order kerosene or you were out of luck if your heater ran out.
It was so cold in the mornings that my hands and body sometimes shook uncontrollably when getting dressed and trying to button a shirt when the temperature in the room was in the 30's or 40's. (One soon gets wise though, and wakes up 30 minutes early to put the heater on and get back in the toasty futon while the room heats up.) It's old and kind of corny, but I just wanted to share it after all these years. Enjoy.
Christmas in the Paddies
'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house,
The cold would awaken the sleepiest mouse.
The stockings were hung by the space heater with care
In the hopes that St. Nick-san would soon be there.
The children were nestled all snug in their beds
While visions of Toyland danced in their heads
And I in my blanket, with the heat turned on high
Had just settled down–oyasumi nasai.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
Mom was checking the oil drums and as mad as a hatter.
I threw open the window and peered through the plastic.
"Gomen nasai darling..... don't do anything drastic."
(I'd forgotten to order some more of the stuff,
And it looked as if Christmas would be kind of rough!)
The moon on the breast of the gravel and snow
Gave the luster of midday to the compound below.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But a chisai sleigh and eight tiny reindeer....
With a little ol' honcho, so lively and quick.
I could tell by his accent, he must be St. Nick.
More rapid than jet forces he came
And he whistled and shouted and called them by name:
Now Dozo, now Daijobu, now Chotto and Matte,
On Soba, on Sushi, and Ah So and Desuka.
(Because of the unions I suppose over here,
He probably employs Japanese reindeer).
As fast as lightening, he entered the door
And opened his furoshiki and dumped on the floor
Dozens of packages and gifts of all sizes,
Just what the kids wanted plus extra surprises.
I was so happy I wanted to squeeze him
Christmas would be merry, even though we were freezin'ﾂ…
Thank you, I said, You're such an old dear,
Domo arigato, as they say over here.
But how did you ever find this place?
We worried that maybe you just went on base.
His eyes, how they twinkled; "Now don't ever tell,
But I don't go by rank or key personnelﾂ…"
"And what did you bring me?", I wanted to know.
And he shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of tofu.
"Well, you private renters sure need a lot,
But for you, it's something special I got;
It's much too big to go under the tree,
So look out in the yard and you will see,
To keep peace in the family, you know what I mean,
Your gift is a drum full of kerosene.
"And now I'd better be off, for I'm on TDY
And it's quite a trip back to the good ol' ZI"
He sprang from his sleigh and to his team gave a whistle
And away they all flew like the thrust of a missile.
But I heard him exclaim as they drove out of sight,
"Christmas Omedeto and to all a good night!"
